Union Railway Minister flagged off the Bangalore‑Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express train.

Central Railway Minister officially launches new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on Bengaluru‑Mumbai route today.

The Central Railway Minister today officially launched the new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on the Bengaluru‑Mumbai route. This train, previously known only as the Sit‑Frame Vande Bharat Express, is now also available in sleeper class, allowing long‑distance travelers to experience comfortable sleep at night. During the inauguration, the minister stated that this step is taken to enhance convenience and safety for Indian Railways passengers.

The introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express falls under Indian Railways' “Vande Bharat” programme, which aims to provide fast, clean, and technologically advanced train services across the country. The train promises to reach Mumbai from Bengaluru in 5.5 hours, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities. The new train features air‑conditioning, onboard Wi‑Fi, and tracks specially prepared for high speed.

Under this new service, passengers will have access to sleeper class with 12‑seat compartments as well as 24‑seat coaches. The railway department also noted that the train will operate on clean energy, thereby reducing its carbon footprint. The minister urged passengers to take advantage of this new service and to offer suggestions for the future of Indian Railways. This initiative is expected to further improve connectivity between southeastern and western India.